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Australia star Head needs to prove fitness for MCG Test

3 minute read

Australia continue to sweat on the fitness of Travis Head for the Boxing Day Test as the star batter struggles to overcome a quad injury.

Travis Head. Picture: Getty Images

Australia could be without their most important player for the Boxing Day Test as Travis Head struggles to overcome a quad strain.

After hurting himself on the final day of the third Test at the Gabba, the star left-hander will be given every opportunity to prove his fitness to take on India.

Australia coach Andrew McDonald is "really confident" Head will play, but still needed to "tick off boxes".

After not training a day earlier, the star left-hander had a short stint in the MCG nets on Tuesday when he received throw downs for about 20 minutes.

Head had a long conversation with McDonald and team physio Nick Jones before going back into the rooms.

Other batters Steve Smith, Usman Khawaja and Marnus Labuschagne all had extended periods in the nets facing the likes of Mitchell Starc at full pace.

Australia captain Pat Cummins will address the media on Wednesday morning and will be asked for an update on Head's fitness.

If Head is on the sidelines, it would be gigantic blow to Australia's hopes of regaining the Border-Gavaskar trophy.

The 30-year-old has been in rare form, smashing centuries in Adelaide and Brisbane to certify himself as India's most in-demand wicket.

Head has made 409 runs at an average of 81.80 across the first three Tests of the Border-Gavaskar series, dominating India even as the rest of Australia's batters have faced significant issues against Jasprit Bumrah.

If Head doesn't play, Australia's white-ball keeper Josh Inglis would likely come in as a batter for his Test debut.

It would also be a massive risk to take a proppy player into a crucial Test, with the series squared at 1-1 with two matches to come.

The temperature is expected to soar to 40C on day one, possibly factoring into the team winning the toss batting first.

"Traditionally it's been bowl first (at the MCG) but with the heat around ... it looks similar but probably a little bit better than what it has in previous years so decisions for the captains to make at the toss," McDonald said.

"I think this wicket might offer the batters a little bit more in terms of the surface as the game draws on."

Sam Konstas has been confirmed to debut, ensuring he will become the fourth youngest Australian Test player in history.

Victorian seamer Scott Boland will also come in for the injured Josh Hazlewood.

Boland returns to his home ground and the venue of his famous Test debut when he tore through England with 6-7.

"If we didn't pick Scotty here - and I know I'm not allowed to declare the team because that's Pat's job - but I don't think I'm coming to the ground Boxing Day if Scotty's not in the 11," McDonald joked.